May 3, 2006 MICCA2006 - Excel 1
2006 MICCA
Using Excel to Build Simulations, Games, Interactive Tests, and
Animations
Baltimore, MD
Davina Pruitt-Mentle
May 3, 2006 MICCA2006 - Excel 2
Using Excel to Build Fun and Educational Activities
This presentation will explore simulations, games, interactive tests & quizzes that are created with one application- Excel. In the age of financial cutbacks, it is refreshing to know media options can be built within one application most schools have—Excel.
May 3, 2006 MICCA2006 - Excel 3
General Outcomes:
• Explore how to deliver content in creative interactive ways with Excel.
• View and explore the possibilities to • Create:
– an interactive quiz or test, – a game – a simulation – and be able to teach students how to do so as
well
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Specific Skills:
1. Utilization of more advanced Excel features
2. Utilization of existing Excel templates (you add the content)
3. Build an interactive test/quiz
4. Build a game with educational content
5. Build a simulation with educational content
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Getting Started
– Introductions– Where are we with Excel? – Needs and Interests– Excel Basics/Overview
• If needed
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Examples-“The Metamorphosis of Dry Content into Exciting Topics”
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Examples
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Human Digestive System
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Some Other Examples
• Interactive Matching w/Excel• Pizza Calculator • How much do you weigh on other planets• Doing a calendar in Excel• Self Clear Planet Quiz• Excel calculations with Fun• Temperature Converter with Excel• Advanced Games• Excelets
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Time Check
• If time explore more at:http://www.edtechoutreach.umd.edu/HowTo/excel.html#gaming
• Next, let’s walk through making a Short Quiz/Test together
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Quiz/Test Together
• Open Excel-Blank worksheet
• File→New→Blank
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Quiz/Test Together
Type in the questions and possible answers (see handout)
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Instructions
See Handout or view this PPT slide
See Handout or view this PPT slide
See Handout or view this PPT slide
See Handout or view this PPT slide
See handout or view this PPT slide
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Steps to Make a Clear Button
• To Make a Clear button – you will be making a button to implement a macro– A macro is a “recording” of a set of steps– To work, macros must be enabled on the
spreadsheet (this might not be true by default)
• Before you make the Macro - SAVE
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Clear Button
• Show Forms Menu– Right click on toolbar area, make sure Forms is checked
• Click on the button icon, use your crosshair mouse pointer to click and draw a button
• You will be prompted to name the macro that is to be associated with this button, following this you will have the chance to record the macro.– Change the Name of the Macro– Click Record– Clear each of the answers which you entered into the Responses cells
in Response Column– Click “Stop” Button– Right Click on Button and click on Edit Text– Change button name to Clear– Save your worksheet. In the future clicking on the button will clear
answers a student entered. I suggest naming the button "Clear."
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Game Together: Drag and Drop Feature in Excel
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Game Together
• Open Excel-Blank worksheet
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Make a Board Game
See Handout or view this PPT slide
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Make a Board Game
• Choose cells to designate path by filling with a color – may also choose
border option
• Label Start and Finish– I chose the auto
shapes w/ text for finish
• Add questions to each cell through Text Box and Arrows
• Enter correct answers and format cells (color/bold etc.)
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Make a Board Game
• To Check Answers – Becomes tricky since
Drag/Drop rewrites contents of cells
– Solution – Use a macro to enter the conditional formatting
• Problem– Drag/Drop overwrites
comments with question
– How would you redo this?
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Make a Simulation Together
See Handout
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Make a Simulation Together
• Enter text in cells and format (color, bold, borders)
• For each of the blue cells enter the appropriate formula
• Add clip art or other images
• Make a Thermometer– Make ranges (Edit –
Fill: Use Linear)– Paste formula into
cell (Hide Values – color white)
– Use Conditional Formatting
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Visual Simulation
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Next Steps
• Resources can be found at http://www.edtechoutreach.umd.edu/HowTo/excel.html#gaming
• Once you have completed your own activities-send to me via email [email protected] and I will add to the resource site (make sure you include your name and contact information)
• Evaluations Please (MICCA and my own)• Would you like to receive more information/resources
about this topic? • Would you be interested in being a reviewer for
publications (article/book) on this topic?
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Contact Information:Davina Pruitt-Mentle
Director: Educational Technology Policy, Research and Outreach
University of Maryland2127 TAWES
College Park, MD 20742(301) 405-8202
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